In 2024, 3.5 million households in Turkey, amounting to more than 14 million citizens, relied on social assistance to sustain their lives, according to a report published by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, which detailed social aid statistics.
The number of households benefiting from regular social assistance rose from 2,274,182 in 2014 to 3,537,185 in 2024. Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) revealed that the number of individuals dependent on social aid reached 14,148,740. In December 2024 alone, the Family Support Program was utilized by 2,990,408 households.
Support for Children and Utility Assistance
Under the Social and Economic Support (SED) program, 170,317 children received financial support by the end of 2024.
According to Turkish media, various forms of assistance provided to combat poverty included:
- – Fuel aid for 1,587,728 households
- – Natural gas consumption support for 521,408 households
- – Electricity consumption support for 3,428,491 households
Additionally, in December 2024, the General Health Insurance (GSS) premium debts of 7,926,871 people were covered through social assistance programs.
Furthermore, authorities identified 21,380 households as being in an “uninhabitable state due to extreme disrepair” during the year.
